Jeremiah Masoli, was he holding Oregon back?

Yesterday Ole Miss and former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli might have shown the sports world that he was holding back the University of Oregon Ducks football team. While his former team in Oregon rolled over the New Mexico Lobos 72-0, Masoli and the Rebels put up a weak performance against FCS Jacksonville State that ended up in disappointment during a 49-48 double overtime loss.

Before enrolling at Mississippi Masoli, now a 5th year senior, had quarterbacked Oregon to a Pac- 10 championship and Rose Bowl appearance last season where they were smothered by a ready Ohio State team. Masoli, then one of the Heisman Trophy favorites for the 2010 season was suspended for the year when he was convicted of breaking into an Frat House and stealing laptops as well as other items. Even after that he didn't seem to learn his lesson when he was caught speeding and possessing marijuana and Masoli was dismissed from the team. Because he had graduated, Masoli used a little know rule to get around having to sit out a year after a transfer season and was practicing with the Rebels almost immediately. Then a couple days ago, the NCAA decided that Masoli's transfer wasn't in the spirit of the rule, but after appeal, NCAA decided that they couldn't punish him for a loophole he found, they allowed him to play once again this year.

The season was supposed to start with an easy win for Ole Miss, but after a disappointing performance by their new quarterback (7 completions, 109 yards, 1 Int) all of that opening game optimism was sapped. While the Rebels felt the pain of defeat the Ducks optimism for a repeat Pac- 10 title coming into the season has just been multiplied many times and we might have a new Heisman Trophy Candidate in sophomore running back Kenjon Barner who rushed for 147 yards and 4 Tds, had 60 yards through the air and another touchdown. While Masoli didn't impress in his opener against a cupcake team, his replacement quarterbacks combined for 351 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. This proves that Masoli, no matter how well he can play a spread, might have held the Ducks from their full potential last season and cost them a Rose Bowl Championsip.

-A

College Football Preview

Here's How I think the conferences in college football will pan out.

ACC

Atlantic

Florida State
Clemson
N.C. State
Boston College
Maryland
Wake Forest

Coastal

Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Miami
Georgia Tech
Virginia
Duke

Big East
Pitt
Rutgers
UConn
Cincinnati
West Virginia
South Florida
Syracuse
Louisville

Big Ten
Iowa
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Michigan
Michigan State
Indiana
Purdue
Illinois
Minnesota

Big 12

North
Nebraska
Mizzou
Kansas
Colorado
Kansas State
Iowa State

South
Texas
Oklahoma
Texas Tech
Texas A&M
Oklahoma State
Baylor

Pac- 10
Oregon
USC
Oregon State
Stanford
Arizona
Washington
Cal
UCLA
Arizona State
Washington State

SEC

East
Florida
Georgia
South Carolina
Kentucky
Tennessee
Vandy

West
Alabama
LSU
Arkansas
Auburn
Ole Miss
Miss State

Other Notables
Boise State
TCU
Utah
Middle Tennessee

BCS Champion
Alabama

Heisman Trophy
Mark Ingram (Alabama)

Davey O'Brian
John Brantley (Florida)

Feel Free to comment and tell me what you think


-A

Memphis set to join Big East

The University of Memphis, the Mens Basketball Powerhouse that has produced NBA Stars such as Derrek Rose and Tyreke Evans is set to dash from Conference USA to join th Big East for tougher competition and more exposure.  The announcement could come as soon as Tuesday.

NCAA needs to change the way they handle violations

About a month ago powerhouse college football program and perennial BCS contender USC was smashed with sanctions that included a two year postseason ban and  loss of 30 scholarships.  Now there are incestigations against another BCS contender, Florida, and an ACC team that is ready for a breakout year, in University of North Carolina.  This is all because of interactions players had with agents and other people not even involved with the schools.  Right now Florida is is looking at a loss of this past year's Sugar Bowl win all because one player, Maurkice Pouncey, allegedly accepted $100,000 from an agent.  The whole school is facing embarassment because a student that ditched them as soon as he could for the NFL decided he wanted to make some extra money.  In USC's case players that had absolutly nothing to do with Reggie Bush, who moved on to the NFL years ago, or his former coach Pete Carroll, who bolted for the NFL's Seahawks after this season ended, are getting punished.  Even worse for them new coach Lane Kiffen has to try to recruit new kids with the fact they will play in no bowls for two years.  Also most violations are found after the player leaves the school so whats the incentive for them not to take the money?


Coaches like Carroll if he returns to the college game he will be hit with nothing while Tebow might lose his last college victory and Matt Barkley can't play in the post-season for the next two years.  Instead of having to hit every other team with violations the NCAA should allow players to be paid.  Not a  lot, but something like $150-$250 per week just so they can go out and have some fun.  I know it isn't a solve all solution but it would help cut down on the number of violations and actually give some of the multi billion dollar industry of college sports back to the athletes.


-A